Seattle Mariners next great closer is already in the organization
Yohan Ramirez, Seattle Mariners.
The Incumbent
It’s hard to call the former Rule 5 pickup as the incumbent with only 20.1 career innings pitched, but Yohan Ramirez finished 2020 as the co-closer. Saying he did an admirable job wouldn’t be fair to the 25-year-old rookie. Ramirez was perfect in three save opportunities. He also racked up 26 strikeouts finishing the year with a 2.63 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Ramirez’s box scores never really jumped off the page. On a team full of questionable, at best, relief pitching, he didn’t give fans (or coaches) anything more to stress about in the ninth inning.
Here’s a quick overview on Ramirez.
- Mid 90’s fastball that tops out in the 97-98 mph range, with good movement.
- Uses hard slider as change pace pitch
- The changeup is still a “work in progress.”
- Issues with throwing strikes consistently. Walked 20 and hit four batters.
The 6-4 righty has the tools to be a top-notch closer. Only time will tell if he can convert his raw tools into a successful career. More seasoning will be helpful, but he’s not going back to the minors to get it. Ramirez gets to continue his on-the-job training next year in Seattle.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ramirez hit a rough patch in 2021, where Servais removes Ramirez from late-inning situations for a while. Then toward the end of the year, he matures physically and mentally to the point where he closes games again.